Tuesday 26 December 2023
Monday 25 December 2023
Christmas Day - continued π
Drifting squalls of heavy mizzle ,blowing in from the North West .Chasing us as we walk across the cliffs.
It started to brighten up and we spotted a Chough .
The mizzle drifting in again and a very cold North wind stinging our noses for the first time this Winter as we turned to walk back .
We haven't done very much today , tired from all the power cut nonsense !
Opened a few presents together , happiness ! Thankful . Enjoyed our Christmas lunch .
Packets of seeds have been arriving in the post and I sorted out a little red book to make my garden notes in for 2024 . I am starting to get that feeling again .....I want to get started but I have to sort a few things out first ..like the electric windowsill propagator and all the little pots with their lids and the extension wire . These things are all up in the shed at the moment and when we had the new windows put in a few weeks ago , my husband removed the shelf that goes under the windowsill. So need to find that again and .....what else ? .....yes.... compost ...I have some seed compost coming any day now .
Went outside and stood pondering for a while .. I can't wait to get my hands into the good earth again !
I've been clearing brambles and nettles up on this North facing bank which faces the front of our cottage .
I'm still aching from falling up the steps the other day , so I do a little and rest for a bit , then do a bit more and so on . We look out to this part of the garden and in the Winter I like it to be as tidy as I can manage . It's a bit tricky as it is on a slope .
I particularly love the shape of this sweet low and slightly weeping Acer . I like to see it against the bare earth beneath it . I rake out anything that is underneath it and give it a mulch .
Probably woodchip this year as I have so much of it after the hedgerow was coppiced .
My bestie the Robin swoops in to keep me company .
He enjoyed quite a feast while I raked up the weeds and moss .
I will do the mulching tomorrow if the weather is not too bad . I believe Wednesday is going to be a bit rough , so it will be good to get that job done . Enough pondering outside in the mizzle !
We had enjoyed a beautiful Christmas Eve Lunch at my daughter's with our very excited grandchildren . It was a splendid meal and when it got dark ,we had sparklers in the garden !
Then as you know ,we came home and had an exciting evening of no electricity ! The power is back on again , although maybe flickering every now and then .
For me the worst thing was going to bed without my old stone hot-water-bottle to keep my toes warm . I have done myself a hot water bottle early this evening , just in case it goes off again .
I will stop now and wish you a peaceful evening .
π I hope you had a very nice Christmas . πΏπ€πΏ
Christmas Power-cuts !
9.30 pm Christmas Eve ....and the electricity goes off !
Wednesday 20 December 2023
I tripped up the steps !
We had been talking about getting hand rails either side of these garden steps ever since my husband had hip replacement surgery . He was dithering over how much they'd cost and how they would look and he is walking about just fine now he says .
ANYWAY
Then I went and tripped . I stupidly fell UP the steps ! My wellington boot got caught under the bottom step and I slammed down on my face across the top .
Nothing broken , but I'm still hurting under my ribs , my back , my left shoulder and arm .
So that was it !
Our good friend gave us a fair price and a lovely job of it was done in no time . Husband very happy !
We are SO pleased with them . No more accidents and they look so nice. Husband very ,very Happy !
I planted it up with a few lovely things . Cyclamen , Heuchera and tiny Hearts-ease Violas .
We are just "over the moon " with it all and so glad we finally had these hand rails put in .
AND he also made a new gate to my secret fern garden .....
......... I am SO happy !
Sunday 17 December 2023
It's turned quite mild again ....
....... the Roses are giving us a bit of colour still .
Sunday 10 December 2023
Dark Winter Days
I still don't feel very Christmassy. . sigh ...but I put up the Christmas tree in the lounge and forced myself to go out side and gather a couple of bunches of holly to hang on the gate and beside our front door . A simple wooden Nativity scene on my kitchen windowsill .
...and that made me feel a bit better .
Cards have been written and sent off ...not so many as previous years . Aagh the postage ! Royal Mail 75p second class and £ 1.25 first class ! So sad .... and at a time when it means so much to all of us to reach out and send some love . π€
It's been wild and windy . We don't let it stop us though . We wrap up warm and take our morning walk across the cliffs .
Heavy squally showers . First the sun comes out ....
....then it goes in again and we make a run for shelter !
Not doing so much in the garden , the ground is very wet .
I light the fire and spend a relaxing hour or so stitching .
π€π️π€